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<th colspan="3" align="center">6.&nbsp;Debunking myths</th>
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<h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a id=
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<dt>6.1. <a href="myths.html#id2520165">When did LISP die?</a></dt>
<dt>6.2. <a href="myths.html#id2520172">Why is LISP slow?</a></dt>
<dt>6.3. <a href="myths.html#id2520128">How do I manipulate symbols
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<dt>6.4. <a href="myths.html#id2520044">Why doesn't lisp have
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<td align="left" valign="top"><a id="id2520165"></a><a id=
"id2520198"></a><b>6.1.</b></td>
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<p>When did LISP die?</p>
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<td align="left" valign="top"><a id="id2520172"></a><a id=
"id2520174"></a><b>6.2.</b></td>
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<p>Why is LISP slow?</p>
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<p>How do I manipulate symbols with IMPLODE/EXPLODE?</p>
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<p>Generally, you don't.</p>
<p>IMPLODE and EXPLODE were functions in old lisps where there was
no string data type, so that symbols were the only way of
manipulating text. Then (explode 'foo) would give you (F O O); you
could then do (implode (cdr (explode 'crash))) to give you back the
symbol RASH</p>
<p>If you are taught today about implode/explode in a lisp
programming class for anything other than historical context,
complain loudly to your lecturer.</p>
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<td align="left" valign="top"><a id="id2520044"></a><a id=
"id2520075"></a><b>6.4.</b></td>
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<p>Why doesn't lisp have structures or arrays?</p>
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<p>If arrays and structures don't exist, then obviously <a href=
"http://www.lispworks.com/reference/HyperSpec/Body/f_mk_ar.htm"
target="_top">MAKE-ARRAY</a> and <a href=
"http://www.lispworks.com/reference/HyperSpec/Body/m_defstr.htm"
target="_top">DEFSTRUCT</a> must be figments of the imagination.
Similarly, since Lisp only uses association lists to organize
"database-like" information, <a href=
"http://www.lispworks.com/reference/HyperSpec/Body/f_mk_has.htm"
target="_top">MAKE-HASH-TABLE</a> must also be a figment of the
imagination.</p>
<p>Based on the nonexistence of the above figments of the
imagination, Perl and Python, with arrays, associative tables, and
dictionaries, must obviously be manifestly superior.</p>
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